Dec. 06--LAKE LUZERNE -- Funding for a seasonal constable position is included in a mostly status quo town budget that keeps the tax levy and tax rate flat.

But Supervisor Gene Merlino said the town has not decided whether it will add the summertime position, for an officer to serve during the tourist season. This officer would address issues such as neighborhood disputes.

There is $6,000 included in the budget for the expense.

Merlino said the budget overall is in good shape.

"The amount to be raised by taxes is exactly the same -- penny to penny," he said.

Total spending is increasing by about $113,000.

The tax levy is not changing because the cost of the new position was covered using some unspent funds, according to Merlino.

"We tried to keep it as flat as possible this year and it worked out well," he said.

Property tax revenues fund about $1.26 million of the budget.

Other major sources of revenue include $775,000 from sales tax, $143,000 from state highway aid, $65,000 for services to other governments, $60,000 in mortgage revenue, $50,000 in garbage fees and $244,000 in miscellaneous fees and other revenues. The town is tapping $460,000 from fund balance.

The tax rate has decreased from $3.028 per $1,000 of assessed value to $3.018, because the total value of assessed property in the town has increased.

Merlino said the budget was helped when the town finally paid off a 25-year-old debt for a project to install water wells.